Greenleaf’s Second Season Premieres March 15…and Deborah Joy Winans Tells Us To Brace Ourselves!

Photo Credit Derek Blank

by Michael P Coleman

The wait is almost over!

For fans of Greenleaf, one of OWN’s original scripted series, it’s been excruciating. Over six months ago, the show ended its first season with a cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers. I won’t spoil things if you’ve not seen it, but suffice it to say that you need to catch up before March 15, when the second season premieres.

For the uninitiated, Greenleaf tells the story of the church-based Greenleaf family, steeped in organized religion but rife with scandal, sin, and deceit. The setting is fodder for the kind of salacious storytelling that has been a staple of primetime soaps since the nation was left wondering “Who shot JR?” The series stars veterans Lynn Whitfield and Keith David, as well as Merle Dandridge and executive producer Oprah Winfrey, who plays the recurring role of “Aunt Mavis.”

One of Greenleaf’s joys — pun intended — is actress Deborah Joy Winans’ depiction of “Charity.” Winans is one of the youngest members of gospel music’s legendary Winans family, the daughter of one of The Winans’ founding members, Carvin. Deborah Joy tells THE HUB that fans of the exceptional series are in for even more of the twists and turns we’ve come to expect from one of OWN’s best series.

“We went in,” Winans, 32 gleefully exclaimed by phone, of the new season. “We’ve shot about half of the season, and we’re still going in, but fans can expect a lot of ‘come to Jesus’ moments. A lot of ‘do it now and ask for permission later’ or ‘do it now and forgive me later, because I know I’m going to need forgiveness!’ The second season is explosive — I think that’s a good word for it.”

Winans’ character evolves quite a bit over the course of the show’s first season, and Winans says fans have seen just the beginning.

“Charity grows up,” Winans shares. “She is no longer the outsider, the person to walk over or just not pay attention to. She comes into her own, and she recognizes that while she loves her family, she doesn’t need their support as long God is pleased with her. She really, really grows up.”

THE HUB asked — OK, I begged! — Winans to give us a little bit more on what we can expect…a little something that would ensure that we’ll be glued to the TV on March 15.

“Charity delves into her music,” Winans cautiously shared, with the care of an actor who doesn’t want to give too much away. “And let’s just say she’s not the only person delving in!”

Deborah Joy Winans! Who delves? WHO DELVES — and what — or WHO — do they delve into??

March 15 at 10pm PST on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) — my DVR is set, the wine is being chilled, and I’m THERE!